Pilots pull away from Centenary to win Crosstown Classic
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: December 7, 2012
SHREVEPORT, La. (Courtesy LSUS) - The LSU Shreveport Pilots had a strong second half as they defeated the Centenary Gents at The Dock on Friday night 92-71 in the third overall meeting between the two schools in front of a packed house. LSUS now leads the series 2-1 as they finished the game with four scorers in double figures.
The first 28-minutes was as advertised for the Crosstown Classic with the Pilots flirting back and forth with a double-digit lead but the Gents battled their way back into the game to trim the LSUS' lead down to seven by the break 45-37. Rodney Milum found his rhythm early tossing in 22 first half points but spent most of the time on the bench in the second half in foul trouble.
The Gents (5-3) appeared to be in good shape midway through the second half with three of the top Pilots players on the bench while they trimmed the LSUS lead down to three with 12 minutes to play after a Brooks Pawsat two-point basket.
LSUS (6-2) maintained their lead until they went on a tear with a 13-2 run over a two minute span to help them pull away from the visitors. Milum eventually fouled out and only managed to take one shot in the second half but his magic in the first half was all the Pilots needed as Isaac Reid and Rydell Harris each tossed in double figures in the second half of play. Reid had the game-high of 24 points while pulling down nine rebounds while Harris finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Breion Beaver also played a big role helping the Pilots pull away from the Gents as he finished with seven of his 10 points in the second half of play. Jake Green and Aaron Jones each hit a pair of big three's in the game to finish with six points apiece.
The Pilots will hit the road with their three-game winning streak to take on the SAGU Lions next Thursday in Waxahachie, Texas. LSUS returns home to The Dock next Saturday (15th) at 4 p.m. to take on Wiley College.
